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Burkhead (knee) wasn't listed Wednesday on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report.
Burkhead had been dealing with what was described as a slight tear in his knee, but his absence from the injury report puts him in line to play Sunday against the Texans. Meanwhile, Sony Michel (knee) was a limited practice participant, which clouds his potential Week 1 role. The Patriots' backfield is never easy to decode, but it's expected that the versatile Burkhead will see his fair share of touches Sunday as the offense copes with the looming four-game absence of target-gobbling receiver Julian Edelman (suspension). Once Michel is up to speed, he'll eventually threaten Burkhead's workload, but of the team's healthy running backs, change-of-pace maven James White looks like a decent PPR play out of the gate. Burkhead also offers a higher floor than "big back" Jeremy Hill, at least until the team's goal-line tendencies are revealed.
